12 -- LaMarcus Aldridge6-foot-11, 255-pound power forward Age: 27 (July 19, 1985) Hometown/College: Dallas/Texas NBA experience: Seventh season Contract status: In the third year of a five-year, $62.5 million deal. Will earn $13.5 million this season. Role: Starting power forward, first offensive option and team leader 2011-12 statistics: 21.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists Strengths/weaknesses: The most experienced, accomplished and respected player on the Blazers' young roster, Aldridge is the anchor on both ends of the court. Coming off his first All-Star season, he's a multifaceted offensive threat with a deadly midrange jumper and solid back-to-the-basket game. Also can run in transition. Has the talent to be a dominant defensive player and double-digit rebounder, but puts more energy and focus on offense. Will need to improve as a leader on a team with an average age of 25.0 years.

8 -- Luke Babbitt 6-foot-9, 225-pound forward Age: 23 (June 20, 1989) Hometown/College: Reno/Nevada NBA experience: Third season Contract status: In the third year of his rookie contract. Will earn $1.9 million this season. Role: A third-string forward who plays "stretch four" 2011-12 statistics: 5.1 points and 2.4 rebounds in 40 games Strengths/weaknesses: After playing both small and power forward during his first two seasons, Babbitt will exclusively play "stretch four" this season, where his strong outside shooting (43 percent on threes last season) is best utilized. Needs to develop ability to drive to accentuate his shooting and will have to dramatically improve his defense and rebounding to earn minutes.

5 -- Will Barton 6-foot-6, 175-pound guard Age: 21 (Jan. 6, 1991) Hometown/College: Baltimore/Memphis NBA experience: Rookie Contract status: In the first year of three-year deal that includes team option. Will earn $550,000 this season. Role: Third-string guard 2011-12 statistics: 18.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists at Memphis Strengths/weaknesses: Raw and sinewy, Barton needs seasoning before he's ready to contribute as a rotation player. But he's a phenomenal rebounder for a guard, is active on both ends and the Blazers like his potential. A strained right hamstring injury early in training camp slowed his development.

88 -- Nicolas Batum 6-foot-8, 210-pound forward Age: 23 (Dec. 14, 1988) Hometown: Lisieux, France NBA experience: Fifth season Contract status: In the first year of four-year, $44 million deal. Will earn $10.3 million this season. Role: A "wing" who will start at small forward and also play some backup shooting guard 2011-12 statistics: 13.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists Strengths/weaknesses: Has the potential to contribute in a variety of ways -- shooting, scoring, passing, rebounding, defending -- which is why the Blazers matched the Minnesota Timberwolves' lucrative free agent contract in the offseason. But for all his tantalizing potential, Batum has yet to deliver on the hype. The biggest question with him: Is this the year he puts it all together?

18 -- Victor Claver 6-foot-10, 230-pound forward Age: 24 (Aug. 30, 1988) Hometown: Valencia, Spain NBA experience: Rookie Contract status: In the first year of a three-year, $4.0 million deal. Will earn $1.3 million this season. Role: A reserve small forward 2011-12 statistics: 8.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists for Valencia in the Spanish ACB League Strengths/weaknesses: Has solid long-range shooting ability and has shown the potential to be a solid passer and team defender. Regarded as a "glue guy" who might not sparkle on a box score but helps a team win. Will need time to adjust to the speed, style and rigors of the NBA after playing entire career in the ACB League.

19 -- Joel Freeland 6-foot-11, 232-pound forward/center Age: 25 (Feb. 7, 1987) Hometown/College: Farnham, England NBA experience: Rookie Contract status: In first year of three-year, $9.0 million deal. Will earn $3.0 million this season. Role: After competing for starting center job in training camp, will play power forward and center off bench 2011-12 statistics: 12.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists for Malaga in the Spanish ACB League Strengths/weaknesses: A raw but rugged player who enjoys contact and plays physically. Has a solid midrange jumper and developing post game that includes a spin move along the baseline. But his role will be centered on defending and rebounding, and he will need to figure out how to avoid foul trouble, something that plagued him during the preseason.

21 -- J.J. Hickson 6-foot-9, 239-pound power forward Age: 24 (Sept. 4, 1988) Hometown/College: Marietta, Ga./N.C. State NBA experience: Fifth season Contract status: Signed one-year deal worth $4.0 million in offseason. Role: Starting center 2011-12 statistics: 8.4 points and 6.2 rebounds Strengths/weaknesses: An active, agile and aggressive big man, Hickson will start at center until rookie Meyers Leonard is ready to take over the position full time -- which might not come this season. Hickson can fall in love with his jump shot, which is not a strength, but he's best when focusing on rebounding, scoring through the flow of the offense, doesn't try to do too much and simply uses his outstanding motor to his advantage. Could struggle defensively against prototypical NBA centers.

1 -- Jared Jeffries 6-foot-11, 235-pound forward Age: 30 (Nov. 25, 1981) Hometown/college: Bloomington, Ind./Indiana NBA experience: 11th season Contract status: In first year of three-year, $4.6 million contract, with only the first year fully guaranteed. Will earn $1.47 million this season. Role: Backup power forward and mentor for young posts 2011-12 statistics: 4.4 points, 3.9 rebounds for New York Strengths/weaknesses: Jeffries' main role figures to be as a mentor to rookies Joel Freeland and Meyers Leonard, and as a veteran voice in the locker room. Jeffries is known as a heady player who anticipates well on defense -- he led the Knicks in taking charges last season despite missing 27 games. Battled issues with his right knee all last season.

11 -- Meyers Leonard 7-foot-1, 251-pound center Age: 20 (Feb. 27, 1992) Hometown/college: Robinson, Ill./Illinois NBA experience: Rookie Contract status: In the first year of a four-year, $9.7 million contract that has team options the final two seasons. Will earn $2.1 million this season. Role: Backup center who will try to develop and eventually become the team's franchise center 2011-12 statistics: 13.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.88 blocks as a sophomore at Illinois Strengths/weaknesses: The team's only true center, Leonard has the size and athleticism that the Blazers hope will allow him to blossom into their long-term starting center. Has shown that he could become a strong pick-and-roll finisher and is already building a file of highlight-reel alley-oop dunks. Will likely fight foul trouble, and needs to get stronger.

0 -- Damian Lillard 6-foot-3, 195-pound point guard Age: 22 (July 15, 1990) Hometown/college: Oakland, Calif./Weber State NBA experience: Rookie Contract status: In the first year of a four-year, $13.8 million contract that has team options the final two seasons. Will earn $3.06 million this season. Role: Starting point guard whom the Blazers expect to be one of the franchise's lead players for years 2011-12 statistics: 24.5 points, 4.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds as a Weber State junior Strengths/weaknesses: Good athlete who plays at a controlled pace and runs the pick and roll with a proficiency unusual for a rookie. Has deep shooting range, can finish at the basket with either hand and is adept at finishing through contact. Primarily a scorer in college, will have to balance his ability to score with setting up his teammates.

2 -- Wesley Matthews 6-foot-5, 214-pound guard Age: 26 (Oct. 14, 1986) Hometown/College: Madison, Wis./Marquette NBA experience: Fourth season Contract status: In third year of a five-year, $32.5 million deal. Will earn $6.5 million this season. Role: Starting shooting guard and locker room leader 2011-12 statistics: 13.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1. 5 steals Strengths/weaknesses: Matthews is among the most durable players in the NBA, with a streak of 230 consecutive regular-season games played, which trails only Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook (312) for active streaks. Trying to expand his offensive repertoire to add more post-up and midrange baskets. Being counted on to be one of the young team's vocal leaders.

3 -- Sasha Pavlovic 6-foot-7, 235-pound forward Age: 28 (Nov. 15, 1983) Hometown: Bar, Montenegro NBA experience: Ninth season Contract status: In first year of a three-year, $4.08 million deal, with only the first year fully guaranteed. Will earn $1.2 million this season. Role: Small forward off the bench 2011-12 statistics: 2.7 points, 1.6 rebounds for Boston Strengths/weaknesses: Heady player who has played in more playoff games (52) than anyone else on the roster. Good shooter who twice shot better than 40 percent on three-pointers in a season. Will give coach Terry Stotts an experienced small forward as a bench option as younger players develop.

24 -- Ronnie Price 6-foot-2, 190-pound guard Age: 29 (June 21, 1983) Hometown/college: Friendswood, Texas/Utah Valley State NBA experience: Eighth season Contract status: In the first year of a two-year, $2.4 million deal in which the first year is fully guaranteed. Will earn $1.14 million this season. Role: Backup point guard who also will see time at shooting guard and help mentor Damian Lillard. 2011-12 statistics: 3.6 points, 1.9 assists for Phoenix Strengths/weaknesses: Intelligent veteran and tough defender who has made a career of being a steady backup for star point guards -- Deron Williams in Utah and Steve Nash in Phoenix. Despite missing the final five preseason games because of a high right ankle sprain, is expected to be a significant part of the backcourt rotation.

4 -- Nolan Smith 6-foot-2, 190-pound guard Age: 24 (July 25, 1988) Hometown/college: Louisville, Ky./Duke NBA experience: Second season Contract status: In second year of rookie contract. Will earn $1.4 million this season. Role: Reserve point guard and shooting guard. 2011-12 statistics: 3.8 points, 1.4 assists, 1.3 rebounds Strengths/weaknesses: Trying to establish a role on a team that has committed to Lillard as its long-term point guard. Smith is a hard worker who gives a good effort on defense but is still trying to learn to play point guard in the NBA. Looking to improve his three-point shot after shooting 28.9 percent behind the arc last season.

9 -- Elliot Williams 6-foot-5, 180-pound guard Age: 23 (June 20, 1989) Hometown/college: Memphis, Tenn./Memphis NBA experience: Third season Contract status: In the third year of his rookie contract. Will earn $1.4 million this season. Role: Out for season with torn left Achilles tendon 2011-12 statistics: 3.7 points, 0.8 rebounds, 0.3 assists